Pattern recognition preprocessing techniques



OUTPUT T0 July 20 1965 H, B. BAsKlN 3,196,398

PATTERN RECOGNITION PREPROCESSING TECHNIQUES AT RNEY July 20, 1965 E H. B. BAsKlN 3,196,398

PATTERN RECOGNITION PREPROGESSING TECHNIQUES Filed May 2l, 1962 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 Num 2 O N NZ.: O N o m z 52 DLL o v 1- Nt .g

w N LL, 'I NN N m o vom Mmmm Z DZ LLO )"5 um lm N w- 1- I| om v -vc3 m Ll-l- N 2g m C 1- N OE v N EE 9 o (DE N v N LI- z NN m vom O nmmmnmmmm gm f E 1'5 t@ z NNnN l1.- .2 o NNNNw- N 5 N v I: LLI? 5 u- N m LI- v v- L E N E; 52 N NN u' NNN NN mmm@ mmmmmmmmmw E NNNmNN July 20, 1965 H. B, BAsKlN 3,196,398

PATTERN RECOGNITION PREPROCESSING TECHNIQUES Filed May 21. 1962 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 g E g coNNEcTlvlTY X CONDITIONS A D F OPERATING zonE CONDITIONS WHEN FUNCTION IS PRESENT (X=I) (PRIME AND ARROW INDICATE CONNECTIVITY FUNCTION DECISION 0F PRESENT HER/111011) K J r 1 1 o 1 Ac EI o x o x o X o 1 1 AE I o x -o x o 1 1 o 1 o 1 1111111510111 o x o o x x o x 1 1 o 1 1 o o 11s (11's) o x 1 x 1 o ,1F 'EcI o x x x o 1 o 1 1 o 1 1 o 1 o 1 o 1 11115 10's) 1 x 1 x o ..0 FIG.

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o BFD' E 1 x 1 x o FIG' 4 H. B. BAsKlN 3,196,398 PATTERN RECOGNITION PREPROCESSING TECHNIQUES July 20, 1965 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 2l. 1962 July 20, 1965 Filed May 2l, 1962 F G. 5B SHIFT SHIFT REGISTER H. B. BAsKlN 3,196,398 PATTERN RECOGNITION PREPRCESSING TECHNIQUES 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Z 9 O Z D LL t 2 g. O LLI Z Z O O "2ND. THRESHOLD CIRCUIT H. B. BAsKlN 3,196,398 PATTERN RECOGNITION PREPROCESSING TECHNIQUES July 20, 1965 11 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed May 21. 1962 tm 223%: :$125 E:

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3,196,398 PATTERN RECOGNITION PREPRocEssINe TECHNIQUES Filed May 21, 1962 H. B. BASKIN July 20, 1965 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 A 6 m. m F 5 I H R H R O\l f O m w w m .m .E m .M mm W W L. m W muD\ W L .d .d 8 .d .d a mwl T. T. T. T.. T.. T.. i.v T. T. I T. .L E f E R R O O a a 8 Tu a 8 .u

3,196,398 PATTERN RECOGNITION PREPRocEssING TEQHNTQUES Filed May 21, 1962 H. B. BASKIN July 20, 1965 l1 Sheets-Sheet 9 MAJORITY CIRCUIT w B IN f 6 6 wm IT 1 GA GB Tf G ne ne m mm l F NU K NF BDF-'H N W h O f. O n H w m m m :nu Fw w C M E E M H M M M A A 8 a 8 a a n .l I I Tl. T. I I .I i Dn Dn O ,O 8 8 8 3 CH DGCGE NDHDCEI GID... DWUEG EFG CLDmDGHFGmDDEHDG NDCL July 20, 1965 H. B. BAsKlN 3,196,398

PATTERN RECOGNITION PREPROCESSING TECHNIQUES Filed May 21, 1962 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 WAV-ANTW THRESHOLD CIRCUIT July zo, 1965 H. B. BASKIN 3,196,398

PATTERN RECOGNITION PREPROCESSING TECHNIQUES Filed May 21, 1962 11 Sheets-Shet 11 FIG.9

SHIFT REGISTER 1 SHIFT f United States Patent O grasses ra'rrnnsi nncocnrrron rnnrnocassnic "incursiones Herbert B. Baskin, Mohegan Lake, NPY., assigner to This invention relates to preprocessing techniques for pattern recognition and, more specifically, to methods and apparatus for generating a thin-line continuous pattern from a wide-line pattern to enhance the reliability of various types of character recognition systems, including those which employ shape or fea-ture detection techniques.

The automatic recognition of wide-line patterns, such `as those found on carbon-copy documents and documents produced by many copying devices, is relatively didicult. The problem is further complicated if use is to be made of general purpose character recognition systems that are capable of reading diversitied documents including printed material of varying quality, ribbon and carbon typewritten copies, and copies made by the various reproduction machines.

The most commonly-used attempts to compensate for varying print quality in character recognition systems make use of manual or automatic contrast control which compensates for deviations in print intensity. Wide-line characters can be somewhat improved by selecting only high-intensity data and discarding the lower-intensity data. These techniques of contrast control often require extremely accurate adjustment and, even when properly adjusted, generally provide relatively poor results because low contrast areas of the characters are sometimes discarded causing line discontinuties and high-intensity smudges are often retained. Other line-thinning or edgepeeling functions provide thin-line patterns by operating on a binary representation of the input pattern. In accordance with the present invention, a thin-line pattern is generated from a wide-line pattern in such away that continuity of lines is preserved even though the lines may be of low intensity and the undesirable peripheral smudges are deleted even though they are of high intensity. Furthermore, the present invention makes use of the intensity of the various areas of the pattern to bias the resulting thin-line pat-tern toward the high-intensity portion of the input pattern.

In accordance with the invention, the patterns on the document are scanned and analog data representations of the intensity of the scanned points on the document are generated. This analog data is partitioned by a group of thresholding circuits into several ranges and the data in the lowest range of values (corresponding to the lowestintensity points) is openated on by a connectivity function which determines which, if any, of this data correspends to connecting points on the input pattern. Any data in the lowest range which is necessary to preserve the `continui-ty yof the pattern lines is retained. During the subsequent cycles of operati-on, the data representations in the successively higher ranges are operated Ion by the connectivity function .and additional data that is unnecessary for line continuity is discarded. After several iterations, a represen-tation is generated that corresponds to a thin-line pattern and is biased in the direction of the highintensity portions of the scanned patterns. Although the input has been described as analog data, these techniques are equally applicable to multi-valued digital data and the generic term multi-valued data is used to include analog data as well as non-binary digital data.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide 3,195,398 Patented July 20, 1965 lCC techniques for enhancing the quality of line patterns, including alpha-numeric characters.

Another object is to provide technique-s for converting wide-line patterns into thin-line patterns.

A further object of the present invention is to provide techniques for generating continuous, thin-line patterns from wide-line patterns.

A still further object is lto provide techniques for generating data representations of continuous thin-line patterns from data representations of wide-line pattern inensity distributions.

Another object is t-o provide methods and apparatus for generating representations of thin-line patterns from multi-valued digital and analog data representations of wide-line pattern intensity distributions.

A further object is to provide techniques for generating representations of continuous thin-line patterns from multi-valued digital and analog data representations of wide-line pattern intensi-ty distributions -by retaining only that data corresponding .to connecting points in the Wideline patterns.

A still further object is to provide techniques for generating lrepresentations of continuous thin-line patterns from multi-valued digital and analog data representations of wide-line pattern intensity distribution by retaining only that data corresponding t-o connecting points within the wide-line pattern by iteratively operating on the patfterns with a connectivity function, wherein only that data corresponding to connecting points is retained an-d wherein high-valued data (corresponding to high-intensity points) is given priority over lower-valued data (corresponding to lower-intensity points).

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FiGURE 1 is a block ldiagram .of a preferred embodiment `of the invention.

FIGURE 2a is an intensity distribution diagram showing the output of a scanner for a typical lower-case 6.

FIGURE 2b is a diagram showing the result of operating on the pattern shown in FIGURE l with the preferred embodiment.

FIGURES 3a, 3b and 3c are diagrams showing the typical lower case e of FIGURE 2a after successive operations of the connectivity function.

FIGURES 4a and 4b are functional diagrams showing the connectivity function mathematically and geometrically, where FIGURE 4 shows the composite arrangement of FIGURES 4a and 4b.

FIGURES 5b, 5b and 5c constitute a functional diagram of the preferred embodiment of the invention :that is shown in block-diagram form in FIGURE l, where FIG- URE 5 shows the composite arrangement of FIGURES 5a, 5b and 5c.

FIGURES 6a `and 6b constitute a functional diagram of the connectivity function circuit that is shown in block vdiagram form in FIGURES 5a, 5b and 5c, where FIG- URE 6 shows a composite arrangement of FIGURES 6a and 6b.

`FIGURE 7 is a diagram illustrating the outputs of the shift regis-ters shown in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE S is .a detailed diagram of the threshold circuit Ithat is shown in block diagram form in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 9 is a detailed diagram of the shift register that is shown in block diagram form in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 10 is a detailed diagram of the biased majority circuit that is shown in block diagram form in FIGURE 6.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the block diagram of FIGURE 1. The specimen 1 to 3,A l be identilied is shown, by way of example, to `be the lower case alphabetic character "e and is located on a document 3. The document and specimen are scanned in a conventional manner by a flying spot (cathode ray tube) scanner and a light-sensitive device 7, such as av photo'multi-Y plier or photocell. The scanner .provides a time-varying analog output signal indicative ofthe intensity of light reflected by the document as the light beam (or raster) vfrom the cathode ray tube is directed over the document area.

FIGURE 2 shows a quantized (.thresholded) version ofr the scanner output for a typical specimen e. It should vbe noted that this typical specimen has lines of inconsistent width, varying from one to four units wide. If the scanner sensitivity were decreased, or the scanner output thresholded at a high value such thatrthe areas having an 'intensity of one unit were disregarded, the specimen would be seriously distorted. In this case, the wide lines at the left portion of the specimen would be thinned but the horizontal bar and a portion of the top of the specimen 'would be deleted. Furthermore, the end ofthe curved line at. the lower right portion of the specimen would be somewhat shortened. Y Y l t In accordance with the invention, the data shown in vFIGUREi'ZaA is converted to the pattern Vshown in FIGURE 2b. Note that this output pattern is made up of -a continuous thin line that essentially follows the intensity ridge of the input pattern (FIGURE 2a). Those ele Vmental areasV having low intensities are retained where with the left side of the pattern.

is generated by operating on the input specimen intensity Y pattern.(FIGURE 2a) with a sequence of thresholded connectivity functions 9, 11, 13 as shown in the block diagram of FIGURE 1. In this manner, low intensity non-connecting points are ydeleted in the first operation, and successively higher intensity non-connecting points are subsequently removed. This sequence of operation is shown in FIGURE 3*.for'a three-stage'system. Note that the first stage of the iteration provides apattern (FIG- URE 3a) which retains onlytthose points with one-unit intensities that are needed ton preserverline continuity. Similarly, the second stage of the iteration (FIGURE 2b) removes those unnecessary points with two-unit intensities, and the third stage deletes unnecessary points with threeunit intensities. Hence, the process not only provides a thin-line pattern, but insures that Vthe resulting pattern follows the high-intensity-regions of the input specimen. n

Of the many connectivity functions which could be utilized,the function shown in FIGURES 4a and 4b has been found to be especiallyV useful, and the patterns shown in FIGURES 2b, 3a, 3b and 3c were derived using this function, with a minor modification to be described later. The connectivity function shown in FIGURES ,4ay and 4b operates on a three unit square operating zone (FIG- URE 4a), where the center pointv (x) is Vthe area under consideration, and the surrounding points (A, B,VC, D, E, F, G and H) together with the center point, determine whether the centerpoint is necessary to preserve the continuity of a line. FIGURES 4a and 4b show the connectivity conditions that fulfill the following concept: V

(l) A point is connecting if there is no vavailable alter-` nate path which would preserve continuity (connectivity) between two or more surrounding points.- Y Y l (2) Continuity is considered to bepreserved ifa horizontal, vertical or diagonal path is present, or if a combination of these paths is present.

This concept'is merely one of alarge family of `connectivity concepts. Another useful concept retains points necessary for horizontal or vertical connectivity and does not rely on diagonal paths.

The three unit square operating zone is scannedA through each column of the specimenrintensity distribution pattern (shown in FIGURE 2a) frombottom to top, starting.

' tions.

Thus, operating zone tareas A, B, C and D were x areas at some previous time in the present stage of the iteration because they are to the leftof or below the "x area. In order to properly determine whether any given point x is a connecting point it is necessary to consider, not only the status of thevsurrounding areasA (A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H) as they existed before the iteration, but also the resulting status of Vthose areas that have been previously'tested for connectivity in the current stage of the iteration. In FIG- URES 4a and 4b this resulting status is'deiined as A', B', C' and D rin the column of Boolean functions and by small arrows in the connectivityconditions diagrams. In order that the functions and diagrams in'FIGURES'a and 4b will be readilyunderstood an example will be described using the function VBG(D-l-E).v In the* functions, the symbol indicates the Boolean for, and a bar above an expression indicates the negation ofthe function. An and condition is shown by parentheses or bythe absence of any symbol.KV Thus, the example function corresponds to the condition where the point (x) being interrogated for connectivity lies between two points B and G (to the left and right of x) and the function states that x is necessary'for connectivity if neither D nor E (the points below and above) is present. Obviously, if the point D has been retained byan earlier operation 'during thel present iteration, the point fx is not necessary for connectivity. `Similarly,'if the point E is present, the point x Vis 'not' necessary for connectivity. Thus if either D or'E are present, c is not a connectivity point and the function BG(D+E) iszero. Mostvof the Boolean functions correspond to several possible (-or) conditions and the connectivity condition diagrams show each of these conditions. Boolean statements can generally be written in several forms for any given condition and those shown Vin FIGURE 4 are considered to be relatively economical to embody, and not necessarily the simplest for purposes of description. For example, the first Boolean function AC'KDGE) isa simple description of the three connectivity conditions that are shown and for simplicity of understanding could be rewritten as AC1-.375' -i-ACBGLl-ACBE, using well-known substitu- Similarly, Vthe example function could be rewritten as BGDE'to provide a more straight-forward correspondence to its associated connectivity diagram.

The-preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in vdetail in FIGURES 5a, 5b and 5c. A specimen 1, (FIG. 5a) onl a document 3 isY scanned by a flying spot scanner 5 and the reected light is sensed by a light-sensitive device 7. The specimen is scanned from bottom to top by a sequence of vertical lines,starting from the left. The signal fromV the light-sensitive device is applied through a gated amplifier. 15 and a threshold circuit 17 to the input of a shift register 19. This shift register and shift registers 21, 23 and 25 are'each reset prior to operation. Timing pulses on a lead 27 are used to synchronize the ying spot scanner sweep circuits 29; the shifting of the data in the shift registers 19, 21, 23 andZS; and, after a short delay (in a delay circuit 31), the operation of gated amplifier 15. In this manner, the scanner is sampled by the gated amplifier 15 and applied through the threshold circuit 17 to the shift register 19 at times that are interspersed between shift pulses to the shift register. The T1input thresto a value corresponding to'approximately one-half unit of intensityjor less. A threshold circuit Ysuitable for use as the 'T1-input threshold circuit and all other threshold circuits shown in FIGURE 5 will be described in detail later with respect to FIGURE 8. Since the design and adjustment of these circuits are not critical, many of the well-known threshold circuits could be employed.

Shift register 1Q generates the operating zone data referred to in FIGURE 4 on leads labeled A1, B1, C1, D1, E1, F1, G1 and H1. The reference area x1 is also shown to be generated to indicate its position relative to areas A1-l-I1. Since this data (x1) is not required for the operation of the circuit, the x1 lead from the shift register is unused. This data is in binary form because of the operation of threshold circuit 17. Since the scanning raster is comprised of a sequence of Vertical lines (from bottom to top) starting from the left portion of the specimen, the

operating zone areas A, B and C are adjacently scanned.

Area D is scanned at a time after the scanning of area A corresponding to the time taken to scan one Vertical line. Areas x and E are scanned immediately after area D is scanned and areas F, G and H are subsequently scanned. Therefore, data indicative of area A progresses the furthest through shi t register 19, the area B indication immediately follows the area A indication and the area C indication immediately follows the area B indication. A break 33 is shown in shift register 19 indicating that several register elements are not shown. The number of shift register elements is a function of the number of sampling points during each vertical sweep. For example, if the vertical sweep is repeated once for every twenty timing pulses, nineteen shift register positions are needed between the positions that generate x1 and B1 (or any two horizontallyadjacent positions) and the break 33 indicates that seventeen register positions are not shown. These seventeen n posi ions could obviously be replaced by a lumped delay for circuit economy. rFhe last data that is applied to the shift register 19 corresponds to operating zone areas F, G and H and the corresponding shift register positions are shown to be separated from the remainder of the shift registers by a break 3S, which represents seventeen positions that are not shown. A shift register circuit suitable for use for the shift registers shown in FlGURE 5 will be described in detail later with respect to FIGURE 9.

The shift register 19 output data coresponding to the operating zone areas A through H is applied to a connectivity function circuit 3'7 along with data from the subsequent shift register 21 representing A1, B1, C1 and f D1 (which are indicative of the result of previous operations yduring the present iteration on those operating zone areas that are scanned prior to the scanning of x1). The connectivity function circuit will be described in detail later with respect to FIGURE 6. The connectivity function circuit 37 output indicates whether x1 is necessary for ,line continuity and is applied to an or gate 39. The two remaining inputs that are applied to this or gate are indicative of t .e intensity range of area x1. A fixed delay 41, equal to the time required for scanned data to reach shift register position x1, supplies an analog signal indicative of the intensity `of area x1, to a 'T1-low threshold circuit 43 and a T1high threshold circuit 45. These circuits provide binary output signals that are indicative of the relative intensity of area x, with respect to predetermined threshold intensities. The T1-low circuit 43 is adjusted to provide a binary "l output signal where the intensity of .area x1 exceeds the lowest bound of the operating range of the first iteration, and the T1-high circuit 45 provides a signal when the intensity of x1 exceeds the upper bound of this range. With respect to the example shown in FIG- URES 2a and 3 Where the analog intensity is presumed to vary from zero units through three units, the T1-loW circuit is adjusted to a value of approximately one-half unit or less and the T1-high circuit is adjusted to approximately one and one-half units. The T1-low threshold circuit 43 output is inverted in circuit 44 (to provide a 1 signal when the intensity of x1 is below its threshold) and applied to or gate 39. The output of the T1high circuit 45 is applied directly to the or gate. Thus, the or gate provides a l output signal when the area x1 is necessary for connectivity or the intensity of area x1 is outside of the range of the first iteration (below the threshold of the T1- low circuit 43 or above the range of the 'T1-high circuit 45). The or gate output controls an and gate 47 which, when conditioned, passes a timing pulse from delay 31 to control the sampling time of a non-inverting gated amplifier 49. The analog intensity signal from delay 41 is thus passed by amplifier 49 when area x1 is to be retained by the first iteration. This signal is blocked by amplifier 49 when the intensity of area x1 is Within the operating range of the first iteration and is not necessary for connectivity. Thus the output of amplifier 49 represents the analog signal from gated amplifier 15 with certain portions of this analog signal reduced to Zero. The portions that are deleted correspond to those input pattern areas which have intensities between the thresholds of the T1 (low) and T1 (high) threshold circuits 43, 45 and which are not necessary to preserve line continuity.

The circuit for the second and nth operations on the input specimen is shown in FIGURES 5b and 5c and is similar in function to the circuit described for the first stage of the iteration. The same reference numerals have been used for similar portions of the circuits. Some threshold circuits are adjusted to different values for the different stages of iterations and correspond to the predetermined ranges of operation of each iteration. For example, using the data shown in FIGURE 2a, the T2- low threshold circuit 43 and the 'T2-high circuit 45 are set to approximately 11/2 and 21/2 respectively, and the T11- loW threshold 43 circuit and the T11-high threshold circuit 45 are set to approximately 21/2 and 31/2 respectively. With respect to the example of FIGURE 2a, the T2 input, Tn input and Tn+1 input threshold circuits 17 are adjusted to the same value as the 'T1-input threshold circuit 17. All input threshold circuits could obviously be eliminated and their function incorporated into the scanner, but this change would decrease the system Versatility. With respect to the example shown in FIGURE 2a, only three stages of iteration are necessary and the 11th stage is fed by the 2nd stage, but is designated n to make the circuit in FIGURES 5a, 5b and 5c obviously extendable to any number of stages.

The output of the nth-stage gated amplifier 49 (FIG. 5c) is applied to a recognition circuit through a threshold circuit 50, which converts the analog signal into binary data corresponding to the output pattern, as shown in FIG. 2b.

The shift registers (21, 23) in all stages above the first stage differ from the first stage register 19 because they are required to generate the A, B, C and D signals for the adjacent lower order connectivity function 37. The relative positions of the signals in the shift registers are illustrated in FIGURE 7. The data in the second-order shift register 21 (A2 through H2) is determined by the previous outputs of the first-order threshold circuit and the data in the highest-order shift register 23 is determined by the previous outputs of the second-order threshold circuit. Since the output of gated amplifier 49 (representing the x position of a stage of iteration) provides the first output of the shift register in the next stage of iteration after passing through one element of the shift register, this output corresponds to the point (D) on input matrix (FEGURE 7) that is one sampling interval prior to (below) the x data. This output is also labelled H2 to show its relative position in the second stage of iteration. Thus, in FlGURE 7, H2(D1) is located directly below x1 and H3 (D2) is located directly below x2. Using this analysis and FGURE 7 it may be seen that A1 corresponds to E2, D1 corresponds to H2, and B and C correspond to the two outputs of shift register 21 that follow to the (left of) E2. The leads to the connectivity function circuit 37 are labelled with primes (A1, B1, C1 and D1) because they represent the points A, B, C

and D after the effect ofthe operation of the first stage of iteration. Similarly A'Z, B'2, Cz and Dz are generated rby shift register 23. An' additional shift register 25 is The connectivity function shown in block diagram form Y in FIGURES 6a and 6b is shown in greater detailin FIGURE 6. The Boolean functions in FIGURE 4 form `the basis for the logic circuitry in FIGURE 6 which can be seen to comprise Well-known and gates (indicated as 8;), or gates, inverterstindicated as I), and' non inverting amplifiers. These circuits generate the Boolean functions as indicated at the outputs'of the amplifiers. Since each Boolean function representsone or more connectivity condition, these functions are combined in or gates v11S and are passed throughV an amplifier 117 to an or gate 119. The connectivity functions shown in FIGURE 4 are modified by the use `of a biased majority circuit 121 Which provides an output when the number of inputs that are present exceeds a'predetermined thresh-V old. This modification insures thattpoints that'are-surrounded by a large number of'points are retained even thoughthey are not necessarily connecting points. This additional feature has been found toprovide enhanced results and was used in generating the patterns shown in FIGURES 2b,'3a, 3b and 3c where any point surrounded by sixor more points was retained. l The output of the biased majority circuit 121 is also applied to or gate 119. rl`he output signal' from or gate 119 corresponds to the-output of the connectivity function'in AFIGURE 5. FIGURE 8 is a detailed diagramillustrating a thresh old circuit that is'suitable for use in the preferred em bodiment of FIGURE 5. A transistor Y151'is normally non-conducting due to a negative signal applied to its base region. In this case, the collector voltageV is relativelyhigh (positive). When the circuit input signal exceeds the threshold determined by the ohmic values of the input resistors, the transistor conducts and the co1- lectorvoltage decreases. An inverter 153 reverses the collector Voltage to provide a positive binary 1) signal Vwhen the input signalexceeds the predetermined threshold and a zero (binary signal when the threshold is not exceeded. f

FIGURE 9 illustrates a shift register that is suitable for use in the diagram of FIGURES. This register is Ycornprised of a series of shift register sections in tandem. A text entitled Arithmetic Operations in Digital Com# puters, authored by R. K. Richards'and published in 1955 by the Van Nostrand Company contains a .description of these and other shift register sections at pages 144-148.

A reset input is applied to each flip-flop inthe register. A The data Vinput to the shift registeris applied serially to the set input of the lowest-order flip-flop. Shiftpulses are applied to theV shift register. in between each input datai bit. These pulses condition the and gates Whichcause' .thejinvention'is a two-dimensionalintensity distribution o'fja character as obtainedffrom a conventional scanning apparatus, but could obviously be replaced byany array ofV rnulti-valued-data. In accordance with theinvention,

lof

a connectivity function is repeatedly applied to the specimenusing different thresholdsV for leach iteration. In this manner, a resulting continuous, thin-line. pattern is generated which tends to follow' the intensity ridge of the input specimen. YThe resulting thin-line pattern is superior to the inputrpattern for recognition purposes because Vit is relatively invariant tointensity and line width.' That is, specimens of various line Widths'andv intensities are effectively normalized to a'thin-line binary output pattern the data stored in each flip-flop to be transferredl tothe next y highest order flip-Hop. Outputs are provided to indicate the data in the various orders of the register; A biased majority circuit is illustrated in FIGURE" 10 and is suitable for use in the connectivity function circuit 121 shown in FIGURE 6. This circuit is similar in op-k eration to the threshold circuit shown and described withV respect to FIGURE 8, but has several binary inputs which are combined in a resistor network Ybefore application to the transistor 155. In this manner, a positive been described and shown illustrates techniques fo`r`pre'A processing a specimen pattern to provideV an output pattern with enhanced characteristics. This resulting pattern is then applied to a recognition system which providesan indication of the identity of the specimen. 'The'input specimen that was chosen for the purposev of describing j. what is ciimedisr which can then be identified by a relatively simple and economical recognition system.:

While the invention has been particularly shown and describedvvith reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it Will beunderstood by those 'skilled in the art that various changes inform and details maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. ,Y e

1. An apparatus for generating an output data representationof arelatively `thin-line pattern from a multi- .valued input data representation of a pattern ofwider lines, comprising, in combination:

means, responsive to the input data representation, for e generating an intermediate data representation of an intermediate patternasfafunction of that input data having values that are less than aV predetermined thresholdandwhich representsconnecting points in the intermediate pattern and as a function of that input data which has values that are greater than said predetermined threshold; v land means, responsive tothe intermediaterdata representati0n,for generatingthe output data representation as a-functionof that input data which is determinedto be necessary forY connectivity by the intermediate data representation generator, i and as a functionjof that input data havingvalues that are greater than said predetermined threshold Which represent connecting points in the pattern represented Y e' Ybythe the output data. g 2, An apparatus for operating on `the data elements of a multivalued vrepresentation of a-n` input pattern of at least two dimensionsy for providing a representation of an output pattern which differs from the inputpattern by the elimination of some non-Zerodata elements which are not Vrequired for pattern continuity comprising, in combination: i

a connectivity function, circuit responsive to that portion of theinput data which has values which do not exceed a predetermined threshold for providing an indication of those data elements in this portion which j Vare necessary for the retention of kpattern continuity; Y f and means responsive to the indications provided by the connectivity functionV circuit and that input data which is not included in said portion, for providing the representation Vofthe output pattern. 3. ,An apparatus for operating onthe data elements of a multi-valued representation of an vinput pattern of at least two dimensions for providing a representation of an output pattern which 'differs from the input pattern bythe elimination of some non-zero data elements Which are not re quiredfor pattern continuity comprising, Vin combination: 'Y Ya first connectivity function circuitv responsive to a first 1 portion of the inputdata which has values which do not exceed ay predetermined threshold for providing anw indication'of those data elements in the first por- Y tion whichlare necessary for the. retention of pattern a second connectivity'function circuit responsive to the indicationprovided"byA the first connectivity function circuit and; to` *a ksecond portionof the input data which' has Values which exceed vsaid predetermined threshold, for providing an indication of the data elements in the second portion which are necessary for the retention of pattern continuity;

`and means responsive to the indication provided by both connectivity function circuits for generating the representation of the output pattern.

d. An apparatus for operating on the data elements of a multi-valued representation of a two-dimensional input pattern for providing `a representation of a two-dimensional output pattern which differs from the input pattern by the deletion of certain non-zero data elements which are not necessary for line continuity comprising, in combination:

threshold means for selecting those data elements that have values in each of a plurality of non-overlapping ranges of values;

a first operating zone function generator for selecting the data elements in the representation which corresponds to the area surrounding a given data element of the input pattern, for all data elements in the input pattern;

a first connectivity function generator responsive to the data selected by the rst operating zone generator, for providing an indication of the data elements in the representation which are necessary for continuity;

a first gating means responsive to the threshold means and to the indication provided by the first connectivity function generator for providing an intermediate multi-valued representation containing those input data elements which have values that are outside of a first range of values and those data elements which have values within the first range of values that are necessary for line continuity;

a second operating zone function generator responsive to the intermediate representation for selecting the data elements in this representation which correspond to the area surrounding a given data element in the input pattern, for all data elements in the input pattern;

a second connectivity function generator responsive to the data selected by the second operating Zone function generator for providing an indication of the data elements which are necessary for line continuity;

and a second gating means responsive to the threshold means and to the indication provided by the second connectivity function generator for providing a representation containing those data elements in the intermediate representation which have values that are outside or a range of values that are higher than the first range of values and those data elements which have values Within the higher range of values that are necessary for connectivity;

whereby the representation generated by the second gating means corresponds to the input two-dirnen sional pattern Ias modified by the deletion of certain data elements which are not necessary for line continuity.

5. An apparatus for operating on the data elements of a 1nultivalued, time-varying representation of a two-dimensional input pattern for providing a time-varying representation of a two-dimensional output pattern which differs from the input pattern by the deletion of certain nonzero data elements which are not necessary for line continuity comprising, in combination:

threshold means for selecting those data elements that have values in each of a plurality of non-overlapping ranges of values;

a first time-delay circuit responsive to the time-varying input representation for selecting the data elements in the time-varying input representation which correspond to the area surrounding a given data element of the input pattern, for all data elements in the input pattern;

a first connectivity function generator responsive to the data selected by the first time-delay circuit for providing an indication of the data elements in the representation Which are necessary for continuity;

a iirst gating means responsive to the threshold means and to the indication provided by the first connectivity function generator for providing an intermediate multi-valued, time-varying representation containing those input data elements which have values that are outside of a first range of values and those data elements which have values Within the first range of values that are necessary for line continuity;

a second time-delay circuit responsive to the intermediate time-varying representation for selecting the data elements in this representation which correspond to the area surrounding a given data element in the input pattern, for all data elements in the input pattern;

a second connectivity function generator responsive to the data selected by the second time-delay circuit for providing an indication of the data elements which are necessary for line continuity;

and a second gating means responsive to the threshold means and to the indication provided by the second connectivity function generator for providing a represe-ntation containing those data elements in the intermediate representation which have values that are outside of a range of values that is higher than the first range of values and those data elements which have values within the higher range of values that are necessary for connectivity;

whereby the representation generated by the second gating means corresponds to the input two-dimensional pattern as modified by the deletion of certain data elements which are not necessary for line continuity.

6. The apparatus described in claim 5, further limited by the use of shift registers as the time-delay circuits.

7. An apparatus for operating on the data elements of a multi-valued time-varying representation of a tWo-dimen sional input pattern for providing a time-varying repre sentation of a two-dimensional output pattern which differs from the input pattern by the deletion of certain non-zero data elements which are not necessary for line continuity comprising, in combination:

threshold means for selecting those data elements that have values in each of a plurality of non-overlapping ranges of values;

a first time-delay circuit responsive to the time-varying input representation for selecting the data elements in the time-varying input representation which correspond to the area surrounding a given data element of the input pattern, for all data elements in the input pattern;

a first biased majority circuit responsive to the data selected by the rst time-delay circuit for providing an indication when the number of indications from the first time-delay circuit exceeds a predetermined Value;

a first connectivity function generator responsive to the data selected by the first time-delay circuit and responsive to the output indication of the trst biased majority circuit, for providing an indication of the data elements in the representation which are necessary for continuity;

a rst gating means responsive to the threshold means and to the indication provided by the rst connectivity function generator for providing an intermediate multi-valued, time-varying representation containing those input data elements which have values that are outside of a first range of values and those data elements which have values Within the first range of values that are necessary for line continuity;

a second time-delay circuit responsive to the intermediate time-varying representation for selecting the data elements in this representation which correspond to the area surrounding a given data element in the input ment has a` rstnon-zerorvalue and at least` one data elepattern, for all data elements inthe input pattern; ment has a second non-,zero value, into a representation of a second-biased majority circuit responsive to the'data an output array with lessV non-zero data elements that are selected by the second time-delay circuit for providing unnecessaryto preserve the continuity between the remainan indication when the number of indications from 5 i ing non-zero data elements, comprising, in combination: the second time-delay circuit exceeds a predeterminedY means,l responsive Vto the representation of the input value; c. larr-ay, for generating a representation of anV intera second connectivity function generator responsive to mediate array by rejecting those data elements in the thedata selected by the second time-delay circuit and input representation which have values within a first responsive to the output indication of the second range of values, where the first range of values inbiased majority circuit, for providing an indication of cludes the yfirst non-zero value andexcludes the secthe data elements which are necessary for line conond Inon-zero value, and which are unnecessary to tinuity; y Y Y preserve continuity between the non-rejected `data and a second gating means responsive to the threshold elements in the input array; l

means and t0 the indication provided by the Second 15 and means, responsive to the representation of the inconnootVtY function gener 9101' for Providing a repre' termediate array, for Ygenerating the representation sentation containing those data elements in the interof the output array by rejecting those data y elements mediate representan@ which have velues that are in the representation of the'interrnediate array which Ouslde of a ranged Values that 1s higher than he have values Within a second range of values, Where rst range of .values am; those data elements Whch Y the second range of values includes Vthe second nonhave values Within th? inglherange of Values that are zero value, and which are unnecessary to preserve necessary for conmctlvity f f continuity between the non-rejected data elements in whereby the representation generated by the second h d. t

gating means corresponds to the input tWo-dimenft -e Inter-me la earray' y sional pattern as modied by the deletion ot certain 1 References Cite-d by the Examiner data elements which are 4not necessary for lmecon- Y tinuity. y Y n UNITED STATES PATENTS 8. The apparatus described in claim 7 further limited by 3,074,050 1/63 Shulz S40- 146,3 the use of shift registersas the time-delay circuits. 3,104,372 9/63 Rabinow 34e-'146,3

9. An lapparatus for converting a representation of an Y Y Y input array of data elements, Where at least one data ele-Y MALCOLMV A. MORRISON, Primary Examiner. 

2. AN APPARATUS FOR OPERATING ON THE DATA ELEMENTS OF A MULTI-VALUED REPRESENTATION OF AN INPUT PATTERNS OF AT LEAST TWO DIMENSIONS FOR PROVIDING A REPRESENTATION OF AN OUTPUT PATTERN WHICH DIFFERS FROM THE INPUT PATTERN BY THE ELIMINATION OF SOME NON-ZERO DATA ELEMENTS WHICH ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR PATTERS CONTINUITY COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A CONNECTIVELY FUNCTION CIRCUIT RESPONSIVE TO THAT PORTION OF THE INPUT DATA WHICH HAS VALUES WHICH DO NOT EXCEED A PREDETERMINED THRESHOLD FOR PROVIDING AN INDICATION OF THOSE DATA ELEMENTS IN THEIS PORTION WHICH ARE NECESSARY FOR THE RETENTION OF PATTERN CONTINUITY; AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO THE INDICATIONS PROVIDED BY THE CONNECTIVELY FUNCTION CIRCUIT AND THAT INPUT DATA WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED JIN SAID PORTION, FOR PROVIDING THE REPRESENTATION OF THE OUTPUT PATTERN. 